Leaving your pet in the hospital for surgery can be a source of concern especially if you are unsure of what routinely takes place during the lead up to surgery, the operation and the post-surgical recovery period. We'll do our very best to make this process safe and easy for you and your pet.

Before your pet is admitted for surgery, a full physical examination is provided to detect any potential issues that could arise. To further help us know how your pet we recommend a pre-operative blood test. It helps us detect any deeper problems and signs of disease.

You pet should not have any food and water for 12 hours before a surgery that involves a general anaesthetic like desexing. This is to ensure the stomach is totally empty as vomiting can occur during anaesthesia.

In the case of dogs it is recommended that they have a short walk before dropping them off at the hospital to allow them to relieve themselves. We're told it helps settle the nerves too!

From the time your pet is anaesthetised and during surgery he/ she is closely monitored by the nursing staff and the vets. Signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate and gum colour are regularly checked.

Once the surgery is over pets are moved to a recovery area where they continue to be monitored until they wake up.

Pain control may be started before or during surgery and may be continued after the surgery and even when your pet comes home.

Your pet may be kept in overnight after a general anaesthetic to allow them a good nights sleep and enable the anaesthetic to totally wear off. Depending on what procedure has been performed, care at home typically involves:

- Keeping your pet quiet and still - some cases need strict confinement

- Checking the wound daily for heat, pain, swelling or discharge

- Checking for excessive licking or chewing of the wound - if this occurs, sprays or an elizabethan collar may need to be applied

- Medication or special diets may need to be given

- Some wounds may require regular bathing or bandage changes

Generally any skin sutures are removed 10-14 days after the surgery.

And if you have any concerns please feel free to call us anytime.